Brandon McDonald

Discarded by D.C. United just one year after setting the club record for minutes played in a single season, McDonald arrived at Real Salt Lake via trade with DCU on July 17, 2013. A youth teammate of RSL’s Robbie Findley and a former roommate of Claret-and-Cobalt midfielder Khari Stephenson, McDonald will provide RSL with some sorely needed depth along the backline. Once he regains his fitness, he is expected to contribute at center back and – if needed – at outside back.

Professional Career

2012: In his first full season with the Black-and-Red, McDonald emerged as the team’s defensive anchor, starting in 33 of United’s 34 total regular season games and earning the club’s Defender of the Year award. McDonald’s 2,963 minutes played shattered Jeff Agoos’ previous record (2,805), set in the League’s inaugural MLS season. On the offensive side, McDonald registered career highs in goals (2) and assists (4), which was the most productive output from any member of the United backline.

2011: Joining United midseason from San Jose, McDonald immediately bolstered United’s defensive ranks and went on to start all 18 matches he played in for the Black-and-Red. Prior to his late June arrival, the central defender played in 11 matches (8 starts) for the Earthquakes, logging 695 minutes of action in San Jose. McDonald became an automatic first-team selection for Ben Olsen upon arrival in Washington, and on 8/23 United rewarded him with a new contract. The 25-year-old scored the club’s only goal at Vancouver on 10/12 in a 2-1 loss at BC Place. In total, McDonald registered 1,599 minutes of action on United’s backline in 18 games.

2010: McDonald featured in 29 regular season matches for the Earthquakes, starting 28 times and registering a total of 2,428 minutes on the field. The hard-nosed defender scored two goals and tallied one assist during the regular season while starting in all three MLS Cup Playoff games for the Earthquakes.

2009: After a stint with the LA Galaxy, McDonald signed with the San Jose Earthquakes on 3/20. McDonald made the most of his time, starting in all 18 MLS games he appeared in. During the regular season, McDonald registered four shots on goal while scoring once and tallying one assist.

2008: After finishing up his collegiate career at the University of San Francisco, McDonald made his MLS debut as a halftime substitute for the LA Galaxy in their season opener against the Colorado Rapids. McDonald made the first start of his career five days later against his future employer, the San Jose Earthquakes. Taken with the 46th pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, McDonald had a productive rookie campaign, appearing in 16 games (10 starts) while tallying one goal and one assist.

International

2010: McDonald was one of 30 players selected to attend the U.S. National Team training camp in Carson, Calif. ahead of an international friendly with Honduras in January of 2010.

College

2007: As a senior McDonald started 15 games for the Dons, tallying one goal and two assists as a defensive midfielder.

2006: McDonald started all 13 games during his junior season before an injury prematurely ended his season. Following HIS 2005 form, McDonald scored the game winner against San Diego on 10/8.

2005: McDonald notched three goals and one assist on 40 shots. Having a knack for game-winning performances, McDonald scored the winning goal against Florida International and he set-up the game-winner against St. Mary’s.

2004: McDonald’s freshman year at San Francisco was his most productive, scoring five goals to accompany three assists. His first career goal came in the form of a penalty kick against No. 1 ranked UC Santa Barbara. McDonald also shared the Stephen Negoesco Award for achievement by an underclassman and was selected to the All-WCC Second Team.